This is the gospel truth. The luckiest politician in Lagos is Alhaji Musiliu Obanikoro. He has been a local government chairman, a commissioner, a senator, an ambassador and now a minister. Born and raised in Isale Eko, on Lagos Island, the handsome politician with a husky voice has always had his way politically – and in spite of sometimes moving against his godfathers.
Educated at St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Idumagbo, Lagos and Ahmadiya College, Agege, Lagos, he worked briefly with the Lagos State Health Management Board and Union Bank before journeying to the United States of America for further studies at Texas Southern University – where he read Public Affairs for his BSc and Public Administration for his Masters.
He worked for sometime over there with Houston Probation, Methodist Hospital and Flower Children Services, taking care of foster children, before returning home in 1989 to jump into politics. Starting out as a member of the then National Republican Convention, he contested for the chairmanship of Lagos Island local government and didn’t get it. Undaunted, he kept trudging on until he eventually did. But before that, he was appointed a Director, Lagos State Bulk Purchasing Corporation as well as a Board Member, Lagos State Football Association.
Popularly known as Koro, he once attributed his political success to hard work, consistency and loyalty. Still interested in governing Lagos, having lost narrowly to the incumbent, Babatunde Raji Fashola in 2007, he had been chairman, Lagos Island local government; Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture; Senator representing Lagos Central; Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana and now a Minister of the Federal Republic.